Senior residents concerned by complex turning off elevators

Published 6:00 pm, Tuesday, January 11, 2005

I live on the second floor, how am I supposed to leave my apartment," asked Blair Luton, 92, a 10-year resident of Southmore Park.

When she first moved into the complex Luton wasn't confined to a wheelchair, but a heart attack during the summer of 2002 forced her into a wheelchair and is now her only means of transportation.

"I haven't been out of my apartment since Thanksgiving," Luton added.

She said that although the elevators are a nice amenity, they rarely work and when she tried to leave on Christmas Day and New Year's Eve the elevators were not in service.

The notice to residents announced the elevators will no longer be in service as of Feb. 1 because of "constant abuse to the elevators…and harassment from the city of Pasadena inspectors, residents, relatives of residents and recently the United States Housing and Urban Development agency."

According to Mike McNally, with city of Pasadena building and permit department, since the apartment complex isn't a hospital there is not a regulation or law that requires the owner of the property to provide an elevator service to its elderly residents.

"The elevators are a matter of convenience, and are regulated by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, so it's really a state issue," McNally said.

He added that the city "feels for these people," but that the only involvement the city could take is to ensure the safety of the residents who use the elevator, by making inspections.

Some residents felt that the apartment complex falsely advertised the elevators, because many were enticed to move there because of the easy access to the second floor.

"The elevators were an (enticement) for me to come live here," said Bob Harvin, a three-year resident.

During a monthly meeting with residents Monday, Charles Miller, owner of Southmore Park Apartments, allowed residents to voice their concerns.

In a guide that outlines the residential rules and regulations, the elevators are defined as to be used for residents who "are having a bad day."

However, the rule about the elevators prohibits any resident from using the elevators as the only means of transportation to the second floor.

"If there was a fire, the residents would have to use the stairs, so this is simply an amenity," Miller said.

Miller assured the residents he would waive the transfer fee to a first floor apartment for any resident who showed a note from a healthcare provider that stated the resident couldn't use stairs because of health concerns.

"I don't want to turn them off, but with more and more regulations, I have no choice," Miller noted.